This is a new drills section I will be doing diagrams and descriptions for the videos that don't have that done as yet. It will make it easier for the coaches to link to.Yesterday I was asked to come to a practice to show the pp and pk to a jr. team. The video I post today and the ones lately are about how to practice team play. The one today is about pp and pk but the same method can be used for any situation. It is a controlled scrimmage and sometimes the coach stops the players to give instructions and sometimes he puts in a new puck to have the situation continue.

Whatever you system is the only way it can be effective is for everyone to understand their role and to buy into their role.

Key PointsFill the 3 lanes on the controlled breakout with one player stretching to the far blue line and the other in the middle. Always outnumber the defenders on a shoot-in.

Description1. Coach dumps the puck in use a double swing with two stretching.2. Move the puck to an open player who carries in the zone or rims the puck hard.3. Forecheckers must outnumber the pk on loose pucks.4. The pk pressure the puck at an angle thru the net and not from the side.5. PK rotate the diamond box always denying a shot from the middle and having one defender in front.

Key Points:Defenders skate in straight lines lined up with the net. Sticks in passing lanes and on the puck when pressuring. Shin pads in front of the puck to block shots. D pressure first when the puck is at the half boards or low, then rotate the diamond box.

Description:1. One 5 player unit from each team at each end. 2. Rotate from pp to pk when the other end is active.3. Start with the pk passing the puck to the pp.4. Aggressive all the time.5, Always deny a shot from the point.6. Always rotate one defender in front.

Key Points:Forwards pass to the outside and skate to the middle with the puck. Face the puck all the time. D pivot with the puck. D work with the goalie and only give away poor shots. Forwards attack with speed and make the first play early. One high one low; one fast one slow.

Key Points:D drag the puck inside the dot before shooting. Forwards attack with speed. D deny the middle and cover the most dangerous play.

Description:1. Players in the corners.2. D1 get a pass from the corner and shoot.3, D2 in the corner pass to the forwards and follow the 2-1 attack vs D1.4. D2 get a pass from the corner and shoot while original F's screen vs D1. 5. Repeat the other way.

Key Points:Make hard one touch passes on the forehand. Skate below the face off dots at each end.

Description:1. Players in the corners and 3 from each group in the neutral zone.2. Player from the corner pass to a player in the middle.3. Players in the middle one touch the puck quickly.4. Two players from each group skate around the far faceoff dots.5. Pass to the skating player before he crosses the blue line.6. Attack 2-0.7. The contest is to see which group makes the most passes.

Key Points:Erkka Westerlund has coached the Finnish Olympic Team and been director of Finnish Hockey development. He is more or less the Father of Transition Games. They are now the logical progression from Flow Situation drills from 1-1 to 3-2.

Description:1. Two white F's attack one black D 2-1.2. When the puck enters the offensive zone 2 black F's and one white D follow the play and passively support from above the circles.3. After a goal, frozen puck or turnover and breakout pass the new 2 F's attack the new D the other way. 4. This flow continues. It can be played from a 1-1 to a 3-2 with passive, active or a combination of passive and active support.

Key Points:Give a target, pivot to face the puck all the time; use forehand passes and backhand only when passing forward.

Description:1. Three players leave from each end.2. Each group passes one puck in nzone.3. On the whistle player with the puck shoot.4. Other two players save ice and get a pass from the corner and shoot. a few seconds apart.

Key Points:Practice vs 2 D and vs 1 D and 1 backchecking D or F. Always have 4 on the attack in the 60% area and 3 overload the strong side.

Description:1. Breakout 5 - 2.2. Four attackers in the 60% scoring area.3. Defend with either 2 D or 1 D 1 backchecker.4. Controlled by coaces whistle to instruct.5. Overload the strong side on the forecheck.6. Original defenders breakout the next attack vs new defenders.

Key Points:Hard passes and face the puck always giving a target. D should get a tight gap as soon as possible.

Description:1. F1 from each side pass to their D1.2. D1 pass to D2 on the same side.3. F1's swing to the other wide lane after passing.4. D2's pass to the F1's5. F1's attack vs D1's on the other side.6. F2's pass to D2's to repeat drill.

Key Points:Go through the various options of Go, Wheel, Wall, Middle, Counter, Reverse to the Wing. D always drive skate with the puck between the dots and F's always face the puck and give a target. F on the boards skate facing the puck. Middle F across the ice.

Description:1. Coach dump the puck into the corner and call the breakout option.2. D shoulder check and drive skate.3. Pass to either F.4. F pass back to the D who passes to the other F.5. F's attack 2-0 and shoot and rebound.6. Coach pass to D at the point who skates the puck between the dots and shoot.7. Forwards screen and tip.

Key Points:Defense practice D to D passes and communicate with each other. 1. Over - the pass from D1 is made behind the net to D2 on the other side.2. Reverse - D1 drive skates to the back of the net and bounces it off the boards towards the corner to D2.

Description:1. Coach shoots the puck in to one side.2. D1 skates back to forward, shoulder checks and picks up the puck.3. D2 skates to net front and calls over and moves to the other side for a pass behind.4. D2 pass to a forwards on the wall or up the middle.5. F1 pass back to D2 and D2 pass up to F2.6. F's pass wide and skate to the middle.7. F's attack 2-0.8. Coach pass to D2 who followed the attack.9. D2 shoot while F1 and F2 screen.

Key Points:The D pivots and the forward comes back to the puck timing it so the D can make the pass. D should try to tighten the gap to a stick length as soon as possible.

Description:1. Forwards on one side and D on the other at both bluelines.2. D's skate across the ice back to check up ice then turn and get the puck.4. F's circle in the nzone and come back to the puck with good timing and a target.5. D's pass to the F's.6. F's skate down one side each.7. D skate to the other side and defend the 1-1 vs the forward from the other end.8. Could also be done 2-1.

Key Points:Forwards fill the three lanes. D move the puck quickly and F's gvie a target. One F always on the strong side boards and don't leave unless replaced.

Description:1. Two blue D1's break out the 3 red F1's.2. Red F1's regroup with 2 red D2's in the neutral zone.3. Red forwards attack 3-2 vs the blue D1's.4. Repeat at the other end with thered D's breaking out the 3 blue F2's.

Description:1. F1 pass to D1 who passes to F1.2. F1 attack and shoot. D1 follow.3. F1 pass to D1 from corner then screen.4. D1 shoot from the point.5. D1 go to the other side.6. F2 pass to D1 who one touces to F3.7. F2 and F3 attack 2-1 vs. D1. 8 Repeat with F4 passing to D2 in the other direction.

This angling drill is coached by an American Gene Reilly. He was an NCAA and American league coach and is great with the DETAILS of the game. He is working with the second division pro team. This skill is critical if your team is going to do a good job defending. Notice they aren't trying to rip the puck carriers head off by charging at him with sticks off the ice. Watch the NHL and how they angle like this and always have the Stick on the Puck. The next drill I post will be to practice that detail.--------------------------------------------------------B5 Forecheck Skills Deflect-Steer-Angle-Finish - Pro

Key Points:Gene Reilly shows the approach. Cut the ice in half with the stick in the passing lane and steer the player outside the dots. Angle toward the back of the inside shoulder so they can't turn back, then finish shoulder to shoulder and stick on the puck.

Description:1. Offense group behind the net with pucks.2. Defenders behind blue line in the middle.3. Both start on the whistle.4. Defender force the attacker wide angle and finish.5. Alternate sides.6. Players switch lines so they all angle.7. Move the defenders back to the far blue line as the second step in the skill.

Key Points:Player checks from the defensive side with the stick always on the attackers stick. Keep the stick on the ice when going side to side.

Description:1. Two players work together one of offense one on defense.2. Half rest half actice on the whistle.3. Practice about 5" and alternate.4. Start with no puck with offense shielding with the body defender stick on stick.5. Progress to using a puck.

Key Points:Partner pass starting standing and then skating back and forth. Wrist passes, snap passes, saucer. Go from forehand to backhand and backhand to forehand. Add tight turns. Players could also pass two pucks at once.

Description:Players face each other in two lines skating cross ice.- Start just passing.- Skate across the ice passing as many times as possible back and forth.- Vary the passes - forehand, backhand, saucer.- Pass two pucks at once.

Key Points:A 2 on 2 works on Role 3, checking the puck carrier and Role 4, covering away from the puck on D. On offense Role 1 the puck carrier and Role 2 supporting the puck. Regroup works on gap control. The second puck demands communication.

Description:1. Goalie works with coach at one end.2. F1 and F2 cross and attack D1 and D2.3. IF coach blows whistle regroup.4. Coach add another puck after the initial attack.5. F1 and F2 attack D3 and D4 on the next rush.6. Drill could be done in both directions if the goalie coach isn’t at one end.

At last nights practice I couldn't do a game I had planned on because one of my D had to leave because of a skate problem. Two players suggested a game they really like and they showed it to the team and we played for about 12 min.. It is a good transition game with quick puck movement.-------------------------------------------------------D400 Ali, Bobbi-Jo Two Net Game - F Pro

Key Points:Attackers either skate or move the puck right away when they get it. Defenders have one on the puck and one in front of the net with sticks in the passing lanes. Rotate every 45 seconds.

Description:1. Two nets on the goal line.2. 4 attackers and 2 defenders on each side.3. On a goal puck goes to other side.4. Defenders pass to the attackers on the other side to go onto offense.6. Add skill rules such as only forehand passes.

Key Points:Separate the movement of the upper and lower body by doing these exercises to loosen the shoulders.

Description:1. Players line up in diagonal corners in the B6 Formation.2. Skate in big arcs down the ice and perform different tasks with the puck. These are some examples but players can practice every possible move both forehand and backhand.

a. Keep the hands and feet moving quickly.b. Skate arcs with the puck only on the forehand side of the blade.c. Skate arcs with the puck only on the backhand side of the blade.d. Do heel to heel glides one way then the other.e. Fake passes then protect the puck.g. Fake shots.

Key Points:Stress good mechanics of rolling the wrists, controlling the stick with the top hand.

Description:1. The coach demonstrates good technique and the players practice.2. Use tennis balls, hockey balls, stickhandling balls, roller hockey pucks, racquet balls, etc.3. Handle the ball all around the body, 4. Handle multiple balls and balls with different weight and bounce.5. Juggle the balls up and down the stick.6. Handle while standing on one foot.7. Handle while on a balance board or ball.8. Keepaway, small games, etc..

Key Points:Player should keep their feet moving all the time. Coach move the pattern around the rink so you don't break the ice and ruin it for the next group.

Description:1. Players leave in small groups with at least a 1:4 work rest ratio.2. Skate a lateral S pattern do they turn both right and left.3. Sprints should be less than 10 seconds.4. Can also be done with pucks.

Jursinov came to run skills practices one week a month for the Red Bulls in Salzburg. M_W for the 2 pro teams and T-Th for the U20-U17 who are in this video. Jursi was Tikonov's assistant during the Soviet domination of hockey in the 70-80's. He played for the Soviet teams on many world championships and Olympics. In 98 when NHL players were allowed in the Olympics the Russian players insisted that he coach the team or they would refuse to play. They won silver that Olympics. He was asst. coach the next 2 Olympics. Jursi and Juhani played against each other in many international games and are great friends. Jursi coached TPS for about 5 seasons which is in Turku, Finland where Juhani lives. I have done some clinics along with Jursi and Juuso (Juhani Wahlsten) and it makes me look like I am smart when I walk into an arena or presentation hall with two IIHF Hall of Famers. (you can fool the people some of the time)The player who no one can catch when he is skating backwards is Otso Rantakari who won the ROY in Finland two years ago. Fantastic skater and really smart D.--------------------------------------------A Backward Skating Tag Game - Jursinov

Key Points:Backward acceleration, fakes, tight turns, back striding.

Description:1. Players line up in the neutral zone. 2. Start with 1 and 2 skating forward chasing 3 who is skating backward.3. When tagged #3 now becomes a chaser and whoever tagged him skates backward.4. Go about 15 seconds.5. The next three players repeat.

Key PointsDefending player stay on the defensive side. Supporitng player give a target for the pass and get into an open lane.

Description1.F1 attack D1 at each end. 2. Players line up on the boards with the first player in line D1 supporting the defense.3. The coach can determine whether the supporting defender is passive or active.4. On a turnover or a goal the breakout pass is made to the supporting defender from D1 to F2..5. Carry the puck to the red line or if the team has a full ice practice, carry the puck to the far blue line.6. F2 Attack vs. the original attacker F1.

This game is coached by Reijo Routsalainen who was a great NHL and Finnish National Team defenseman. The players in the white helmets are from the U20 and U17 teams and the coloured helmets from the pro teams. Rejo talks with the players at the end and stresses that they must work hard on both offense and on defense.-----------------------------------------------------------D200 Cross Ice Game 1-1, 2-2 - Pro

Key Points:Practice all 4 game playing roles in cross ice games. A 1-1 practices role 1, player with the puck vs. Role 3, player checking the puck carrier. 2-2 adds Role 2, player getting open for a pass and Role 4, player covering away from puck. Keep score use short shifts.

Key Points:Simulate a real shootout by placing the puck on the dot and the player starting on the whistle and the goalie not moving until the player touches the puck. Get the goalie used to shootout skating.

Description:1. One player at a time shoots.2. Simulate a real shootout with the same rules.3. Players bet and go to one side if they think a goal will be scored and the other side if they think save.4. Players who bet wrong must skate across and back.5. Alternate ends.

I am re posting this game because the original posting in Part Four doesn't have the link to the video of the game. I did this with the U17-U20 morning skills group. By regrouping it gives the players awareness of the ice behind and by having them pass to the player behind the opponents net it encourages one timers and getting open. Defensive players don't check the jokers but instead work on role 4 of covering players away from the puck. I now make a rule that the jokers must either one touch the pass or skate; so either the puck or the player moves. They can also go to the other side of the net. Rotation is play, be a joker, rest.-------------------------------------------------------------

D200 With Jokers at Both Ends 1-1 to 3-3

Key Points:Regroups and give and goes are stressed.

Description:Each team has a Joker at each end. You must regroup with your defensive joker when you gain possession on the puck and pass to the offensive joker before shooting.

A. Coach dumps in puck. Play 20-30"

1. On possesion regroup.2. Make breakout pass.3. Pass to low offensive joker.4. Get open for a pass.5. Try to score.